Compositions and their uses directed to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating DGAT-1 activity. Preferably, the expression of DGAT-1 from a nucleic acid is inhibited. Methods are provided for treating, ameliorating or treating liver fibrosis, either directly or by treating an underlying etiological factor. Preferably, the treatment, amelioration or prevention comprises administering a DGAT-1 activity modulator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/834,640 filed Aug. 6, 2007, allowed Apr. 19, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/821,511 filed Aug. 4, 2006, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitled BIOL0088USC1SEQ.txt, created on Jul. 1, 2011 which is 72 Kb in size. The information in the electronic format of the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dysregulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 may play a role in the development of obesity. Upon differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 cells into mature adipocytes, a 90 fold increase in diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 levels is observed. However, forced overexpression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 in mature adipocytes results in only a 2 fold increase in diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 levels. This leads to an increase in cellular triglyceride synthesis without a concomitant increase in triglyceride lipolysis, suggesting that manipulation of the steady state level of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 may offer a potential means to treat obesity (Yu et al., J. Biol. Chem., 277, 50876-50884 (2002)).

In a random Turkish population, five polymorphisms in the human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 promoter and 5′ non-coding sequence have been identified. One common variant, C79T, revealed reduced promoter activity for the 79T allele and is associated with a lower body mass index, higher plasma cholesterol HDL levels, and lower diastolic blood pressure in Turkish women (Ludwig et al., Clin. Genet., 62, 68-73 (2002)).

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 knockout mice exhibit interesting phenotypes which indicate inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase as a potential treatment for obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance. Mice lacking diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 are viable and can still synthesize triglycerides through other biological routes. However the mice are lean and resistant to diet-induce obesity (Smith et al., Nat. Genet., 25, 87-90 (2000)), have decreased levels of tissue triglycerides, and increased sensitivity to insulin and leptin (Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 109, 1049-1055 (2002)). Small molecule approaches to modulating the synthesis of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 are ineffective. (Tabata et al., Phytochemistry, 46, 683-687 (1997); Tomoda et al., J. Antibiot. (Tokyo), 52, 689-694 (1999)).

Diacylglycerol transferase 2 possesses diacylglycerol transferase activity that utilizes a broad range of long chain fatty acyl-CoA substrates (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, 38870-38876 (2001); Lardizabal et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, 38862-38869 (2001)). Diacylglycerol transferase 2 is a member of a family of genes whose sequences are unrelated to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1. (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, 38870-38876 (2001)).

Diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA is preferentially upregulated by insulin treatment, as shown by in vitro assays measuring the diacylglycerol activity from the membrane fraction of cultured mouse adipocytes. In fasting mice, diacylglycerol transferase 2 expression is greatly reduced, and dramatically increases upon refeeding. The expression patterns of two enzymes that participate in fatty acid synthesis, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, respond to fasting and refeeding in a similar fashion. These results, combined with the observation that diacylglycerol transferase 2 is abundantly expressed in liver, suggest that diacylglycerol transferase 2 is tightly linked to the endogenous fatty acid synthesis pathway (Meegalla et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 298, 317-323 (2002)).

Studies of mice harboring a disruption in the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 gene provide evidence that diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 contributes to triglyceride synthesis. Levels of diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA expression are similar in intestinal segments from both wild type and diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice. Using magnesium chloride to distinguish between diacylglycerol transferase 1 and 2 activity, Buhman, et al. observed that, in diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice, diacylglycerol transferase activity is reduced to 50% in the proximal intestine and to 10-15% in the distal intestine (Buhman et al., J. Biol. Chem., 277, 25474-25479 (2002)).

Additionally, diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA levels are not up-regulated in the liver or adipose tissues of diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice, even after weeks of high-fat diet. However, in ob/ob mice, which have a mutation in the leptin gene that results in obesity, diacylglycerol transferase 2 is more highly expressed than in wild type mice, suggesting that diacylglycerol transferase 2 may be partly responsible for the highly accumulated fat mass seen in these mice. Furthermore, the combined mutations of leptin and diacylglycerol transferase 1 leads to a three-fold elevation in diacylglycerol transferase 2 expression in white adipose tissue, compared to the levels in the same tissue from diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice. These data suggest leptin normally down-regulates diacylglycerol transferase 2 expression, and that the upregulation of diacylglycerol transferase 2 in white adipose tissue in these mice may provide an alternate pathway for the triglyceride synthesis that still occurs in leptin deficient/diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice (Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 109, 1049-1055 (2002); Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, 38870-38876 (2001); Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 109, 175-181 (2002)).

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins that occurs in many types of chronic liver diseases. Advanced liver fibrosis results in complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure and portal hypertension; frequently requiring a liver transplant. Common causes of liver fibrosis include chronic hepatitis C infection, alcohol abuse and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is characterized by obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus, dislypidemia and, commonly, insulin resistance. Cellular mechanisms of liver fibrosis include the release of soluable factors from kupfer cells that will activate hepatic stellate cells (HSC) into fibrogenic myoblasts. Active HSC further secrete cytokines to perpetuate the active state. Following persistant injury, the active HSC produce large amounts of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). Degradation of the ECM is prevented by the actions of cytokines, such as TIMPs. Currently, there is no standard therapy for liver fibrosis. As such, the recommended course of action is to remove the causative agent, which for NASH would include weight loss and specific treatments for metabolic syndrome. (See e.g., Battler, R. and Brenner, D. A., J. Clin. Invest. 115:209-218 (2005) and supplement; Elsharkawy, A. M., Oakley, F. and Mann, D. A., Apoptosis v. 10, n. 4, 927-939 (2005); and Rockey, D. C. Clinincal Gastroenterology and Hepatology 3:95-107 (2005)).

There is a recognized need in the art for a treatment for liver fibrosis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are compounds, particularly oligomeric compounds, especially nucleic acid and nucleic acid-like oligomers, which are targeted to a nucleic acid encoding Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 1 (hereinafter “DGAT-1”). Preferably, the oligomeric compounds are antisense oligonucleotides targeted to a nucleic acid that encodes a DGAT-1 polypeptide, particularly human DGAT-1, that modulate the expression of DGAT-1. Preferably, the nucleic acid that encodes DGAT-1 has a nucleic acid sequence that is substantially similar to GenBank Accession No. NM_(—)012079.2, entered Apr. 1, 2000 (SEQ ID NO: 4); incorporated herein by reference. More preferably, the nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO: 4. The oligomeric compounds comprise at least an 8 nucleoside portion, preferably a 12 nucleoside portion, more preferably at least a 15 nucleoside portion, of the sequences listed in Table 3, 4 or 6, or are at least 80% identical to validated target segments, or the sequences listed in or below Table 3, 4, or 6.

Methods are provided for modulating the activity of DGAT-1 in cells or tissues. Preferably, the activity of DGAT-1 is modulated by a compound that is specific for DGAT-1. More preferably, the specific DGAT activity modulator is an antisense compound that targets a nucleic acid that expresses DGAT-1 polypeptide. DGAT-1 activity is modulated in cells or tissues by contacting said cell or tissue with said modulator. DGAT-1 activity is modulated in an animal needing such modulation by administering the compound to said animal. Preferably, the modulator is administered as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The animal in need is suffering from liver fibrosis.

Methods are also provided for modulating the expression of DGAT-1 in cells or tissues comprising contacting the cells with at least one DGAT-1 modulating compound and analyzing the cells for indicators of a decrease in expression of DGAT-1 mRNA and/or protein by direct measurement of mRNA and/or protein levels, and/or indicators of liver fibrosis.

Further provided are methods for the prevention, amelioration, and/or treatment of liver fibrosis, increased collagen deposition in the liver, elevated levels of a-SMA mRNA levels, elevated TGF.beta. mRNA levels, elevated hydroxylproline, reduced retinol esterification in the liver, increased hepatic stellate cell activation and other indicators and endpoints of liver fibrosis comprising administering a DGAT-1 modulator to an individual in need of such intervention.

Further provided are methods of for the prevention, amelioration, and/or treatment of liver fibrosis by treating a causative agent, wherein the causative agent is treated by modulating DGAT-1 expression. The causative agent preferably being elevated plasma triglyceride levels, elevated liver triglyceride levels, liver statosis, NASH, NAFLD, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, cholesterolemia or combinations thereof.

Provided are methods of use of a DGAT-1 modulator the preparation of a medicament for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of a disease, especially a disease associated with and including at least one indicator of liver fibrosis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a series of graphs of DGAT-1 mRNA expression and DGAT-2 mRNA expression from liver tissue of mice either in the control groups (normal chow), the placebo group (MCD diet and saline) or the treatment group (MCD diet and DGAT-1 ASO treatment). Results are 4 week and 8 week.

FIG. 2 is plasma biochemistry data for the control, placebo and DGAT-1 treatment groups.

FIG. 3 illustrates that DGAT-1 treatment did not improve liver statosis, as indicated by liver triglyceride levels and Oil-Red stainind for the control, placebo and DGAT-1 treatment groups.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing changes in hydroxyproline at 4 weeks and 8 weeks for the three groups.

FIG. 5 illustrates the 4 week and 8 week differences in various factors of liver fibrosis for the control, placebo and DGAT-1 treatment groups.

FIG. 6 is a series of graphs of DGAT-1 mRNA expression and DGAT-2 mRNA expression from liver tissue of mice either in the control groups (normal chow), the placebo group (MCD diet and saline) or the treatment group (MCD diet and DGAT-2 ASO treatment). Results are 8 week.

FIG. 7 illustrates that DGAT-2 treatment improved liver statosis, as indicated by liver triglyceride levels and Oil-Red stainind for the control, placebo and DGAT-2 treatment groups.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing changes in hydroxyproline at 4 weeks and 8 weeks for the three groups.

FIG. 9 is a series of graphs that illustrates the effect of DGAT-2 treatment on the expression of HSC activating mRNA. These results are at 8 weeks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Liver fibrosis is major health problems arising from chronic liver injury by a variety of etiological factors, including virus, alcohol abuse and components of the metabolic syndrome. (Elsharkawy, A. M. and Mann, D. A., Apoptosis, v. 10, n. 4 (2005) Therapeutic interventions for these diseases or conditions are not satisfactory. (See e.g., Battler, R. and Brenner, D. A., J. Clin. Invest. 115:209-218 (2005) and supplement; Elsharkaway, A. M., Oakley, F. and Mann, D. A., Apoptosis v. 10, n. 4, 927-939 (2005); and Rockey, D. C. Clinincal Gastroenterology and Hepatology 3:95-107 (2005)). Provided herein are compounds and methods for the prevention, amelioration, and/or treatment of liver fibrosis and etiological factors leading thereto.

As used herein, the term “prevention” means to delay or forestall onset or development of a condition or disease for a period of time from hours to days, preferably weeks to months. As used herein, the term “amelioration” means a lessening of at least one indicator of the severity of a condition or disease. The severity of indicators may be determined by subjective or objective measures which are known to those skilled in the art. As used herein, “treatment” means to administer a composition of the invention to effect an alteration or improvement of the disease or condition.

Disclosed herein are antisense compounds, including antisense oligonucleotides and other antisense compounds for use in modulating the expression of nucleic acid molecules encoding DGAT-1. This is accomplished by providing antisense compounds that hybridize with one or more target nucleic acid molecules encoding DGAT-1. As used herein, the terms “target nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule encoding DGAT-1” have been used for convenience to encompass RNA (including pre-mRNA and mRNA or portions thereof) transcribed from DNA encoding DGAT-1, and also cDNA derived from such RNA. In a preferred embodiment, the target nucleic acid is an mRNA encoding DGAT-1.

Target Nucleic Acids

“Targeting” an antisense compound to a particular target nucleic acid molecule can be a multistep process. The process usually begins with the identification of a target nucleic acid whose expression is to be modulated. For example, the target nucleic acid can be a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule from an infectious agent. As disclosed herein, the target nucleic acid encodes DGAT-1. “Target site” refers to the 5′ most nucleoside on a target nucleic acid that hybridizes with an oligomer compound. The target site is calculated based upon the design of the oligomeric compound with respect to the sequence of the target nucleic acid.

Variants

It is also known in the art that alternative RNA transcripts can be produced from the same genomic region of DNA. These alternative transcripts are generally known as “variants.” More specifically, “pre-mRNA variants” are transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA that differ from other transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA in either their start or stop position and contain both intronic and exonic sequence. Variants can result in mRNA variants including, but not limited to, those with alternate splice junctions, or alternate initiation and termination codons. Variants in genomic and mRNA sequences can result in disease. Antisense compounds targeted to such variants are within the scope of the instant invention.

Target Names, Synonyms, Features

Herein are compositions and methods for modulating the activity of DGAT-1 (Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase, ACAT related gene product 1; ARGP1; Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase; DGAT; DGAT1; acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase related gene 1; diacylglycerol acyltransferase; diglyceride acyltransferase) In a preferred embodiment, these compositions and methods modulate the expression of a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a DGAT-1 polypeptide. Table 1 lists the GenBank accession numbers of sequences corresponding to nucleic acid molecules encoding DGAT-1 (nt=nucleotide), the date the version of the sequence was entered in GenBank, and the corresponding SEQ ID NO in the instant application, when assigned, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, the compositions and methods modulate the expression of DGAT-1 polypeptide from a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a sequence that is substantially similar to SEQ ID NO: 4. The phrase “substantially similar” means that a relevant sequence is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 95% 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to a given sequence. Without providing an exhaustive list of percentages, the use of at least in this context means that the similarity between the sequences ambraces the recited number and all calculations of idenity greater than, including whole and partial numbers. For example, at least 70% includes all whole numbers and all decimal numbers from 70% to 99.9%. By way of example only, a relevant sequence and a given sequence both being 300 consecutive nucleosides in length, but sharing identity between only 278 nucleosides would be 92.6% identical. One ordinarily skilled in the art will readily determine these percentages. Percent identity between two sequences can be determined by standard alignment algorithms such as ClustalX when the two sequences are in best alignment according to the alignment algorithm. Most preferably, the compositions and methods modulate the expression of DGAT-1 polypeptide from a nucleic acid molecule that is SEQ ID NO: 4.

TABLE 1 Gene Targets SEQ ID Species Genbank # Genbank Date NO human BQ084235.1 Apr. 4, 2002 1 human AW391923.1_COMP Feb. 4, 2000 2 human NT_031818.5_TRUNC_226000_247000_COMP Aug. 1, 2002* 3 human NM_012079.2 Apr. 1, 2000 4 human BI907285.1 Oct. 16, 2001 5 human BQ225153.1 May 2, 2002 6 mouse AF078752.1 Nov. 12, 1998 7 mouse AI448840.1_COMP Feb. 26, 1999 8 mouse NM_010046.2 Jun. 19, 2003 9 *replaced by NT_037704 Modulation

“Modulation” means that the activity of a compound is altered. Modulation of DGAT-1, for example, means that the activity of DGAT-1 is altered either through direct modulation of the DGAT-1 polypeptide, through the modulation of its expression from DNA or mRNA, or a combination thereof. Direct modulation of DGAT-1 can include small molecules, polypeptides, polynucleic acids, antibodies or other compounds that interact with the DGAT-1 polypeptide to modulate (increase or decrease) the activity of that polypeptide. Modulation of expression of a target nucleic acid can be achieved through alteration of any number of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) functions. For example, and with respect to modulation of mRNA expression, modulation means either an increase (stimulation or induction) or a decrease (inhibition or reduction) in expression of the DGAT-1 polypeptide from the nucleic acid. As another example, modulation of expression can include perturbing splice site selection of pre-mRNA processing. “Expression” includes all the functions by which a gene's coded information is converted into structures present and operating in a cell. These structures include the products of transcription and translation. Modulation of expression means the perturbation of such functions. The functions of RNA to be modulated can include translocation functions, which include, but are not limited to, translocation of the RNA to a site of protein translation, translocation of the RNA to sites within the cell which are distant from the site of RNA synthesis, and translation of protein from the RNA. RNA processing functions that can be modulated include, but are not limited to, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more RNA species, capping of the RNA, 3′ maturation of the RNA and catalytic activity or complex formation involving the RNA which may be engaged in or facilitated by the RNA. Modulation of expression can result in the increased level of one or more nucleic acid species or the decreased level of one or more nucleic acid species, either temporally or by net steady state level. One result of such interference with target nucleic acid function is modulation of the expression of DGAT-1. Thus, in one embodiment modulation of expression can mean increase or decrease in target RNA or protein levels. In another embodiment modulation of expression can mean an increase or decrease of one or more RNA splice products, or a change in the ratio of two or more splice products.

The effect of antisense compounds of the present invention on target nucleic acid expression can be tested in any of a variety of cell types provided that the target nucleic acid is present at measurable levels. The effect of antisense compounds of the present invention on target nucleic acid expression can be routinely determined using, for example, PCR or Northern blot analysis. Cell lines are derived from both normal tissues and cell types and from cells associated with various disorders (e.g. hyperproliferative disorders). Cell lines derived from multiple tissues and species can be obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) and other public sources, and are well known to those skilled in the art. Primary cells, or those cells which are isolated from an animal and not subjected to continuous culture, can be prepared according to methods known in the art, or obtained from various commercial suppliers. Additionally, primary cells include those obtained from donor human subjects in a clinical setting (i.e. blood donors, surgical patients). Primary cells prepared by methods known in the art.

Assaying Modulation of DGAT-1

Modulation of DGAT-1 expression can be assayed in a variety of ways known in the art. DGAT-1 mRNA levels can be quantitated by, e.g., Northern blot analysis, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or real-time PCR. RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A)+ mRNA by methods known in the art. Methods of RNA isolation are taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 1, pp. 4.1.1-4.2.9 and 4.5.1-4.5.3, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993.

Northern blot analysis is routine in the art and is taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 1, pp. 4.2.1-4.2.9, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996. Real-time quantitative (PCR) can be conveniently accomplished using the commercially available ABI PRISM™ 7700 Sequence Detection System, available from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. and used according to manufacturer's instructions. The method of analysis of modulation of RNA levels is not a limitation of the instant invention.

Levels of a protein encoded by DGAT-1 can be quantitated in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis (immunoblotting), ELISA or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Antibodies directed to a protein encoded by DGAT-1 can be identified and obtained from a variety of sources, such as the MSRS catalog of antibodies (Aerie Corporation, Birmingham, Mich.), or can be prepared via conventional antibody generation methods. Methods for preparation of polyclonal antisera are taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.12.1-11.12.9, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997. Preparation of monoclonal antibodies is taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.4.1-11.11.5, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997.

Immunoprecipitation methods are standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 10.16.1-10.16.11, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1998. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis is standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 10.8.1-10.8.21, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997.

Active Target Segments

The locations on the target nucleic acid defined by having one or more active antisense compounds targeted thereto are referred to as “active target segments.” When an active target segment is defined by multiple antisense compounds, the compounds are preferably separated by no more than about 10 nucleotides on the target sequence, more preferably no more than about 5 nucleotides on the target sequence, even more preferably the compounds are contiguous, most preferably the compounds are overlapping. There may be substantial variation in activity (e.g., as defined by percent inhibition) of the antisense compounds within an active target segment. Active antisense compounds are those that modulate the expression of their target RNA. Active antisense compounds inhibit expression of their target RNA by at least 45%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably still at least 80%, more preferably still at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%. As stated above, at least is used to include the recited number and all whole and decimal numbers greater than. In a more preferred embodiment, the level of inhibition required to define an active antisense compound is defined based on the results from the screen used to define the active target segments.

Hybridization

As used herein, “hybridization” means the pairing of complementary strands of antisense compounds to their target sequence. While not limited to a particular mechanism, the most common mechanism of pairing involves hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleoside or nucleotide bases (nucleobases). For example, the natural base adenine is complementary to the natural nucleobases thymidine and uracil which pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds. The natural base guanine is complementary to the natural base 5-methyl cytosine and the artificial base known as a G-clamp. Hybridization can occur under varying circumstances.

An antisense compound is specifically hybridizable when there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the antisense compound to non-target nucleic acid sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, and under conditions in which assays are performed in the case of in vitro assays.

As used herein, “stringent hybridization conditions” or “stringent conditions” refers to conditions under which an antisense compound will hybridize to its target sequence, but to a minimal number of other sequences. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances, and “stringent conditions” under which antisense compounds hybridize toa target sequence are determined by the nature and composition of the antisense compounds and the assays in which they are being investigated.

Complementarity

“Complementarity,” as used herein, refers to the capacity for precise pairing between two nucleobases on either two oligomeric compound strands or an antisense compound with its target nucleic acid. For example, if a nucleobase at a certain position of an antisense compound is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase at a certain position of a target nucleic acid, then the position of hydrogen bonding between the oligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid is considered to be a complementary position. The antisense compound and the further DNA or RNA are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of complementary positions in each molecule are occupied by nucleobases which can hydrogen bond with each other. Thus, “specifically hybridizable” and “complementary” are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of precise pairing or complementarity over a sufficient number of nucleobases such that stable and specific binding occurs between the antisense compound and a target nucleic acid.

Identity

Antisense compounds, or a portion thereof, may have a defined percent identity to a SEQ ID NO, or a compound having a specific Isis number. As used herein, a sequence is identical to the sequence disclosed herein if it has the same nucleobase pairing ability. For example, a RNA which contains uracil in place of thymidine in the disclosed sequences of the instant invention would be considered identical as they both pair with adenine. Similarly, a G-clamp modified heterocyclic base would be considered identical to a cytosine or a 5-Me cytosine in the sequences of the instant application as it pairs with a guanine. This identity may be over the entire length of the oligomeric compound, or in a portion of the antisense compound (e.g., nucleobases 1-20 of a 27-mer may be compared to a 20-mer to determine percent identity of the oligomeric compound to the SEQ ID NO.) It is understood by those skilled in the art that an antisense compound need not have an identical sequence to those described herein to function similarly to the antisense compound described herein. Shortened versions of antisense compound taught herein, or non-identical versions of the antisense compound taught herein fall within the scope of the invention. Non-identical versions are those wherein each base does not have the same pairing activity as the antisense compounds disclosed herein. Bases do not have the same pairing activity by being shorter or having at least one abasic site. Alternatively, a non-identical version can include at least one base replaced with a different base with different pairing activity (e.g., G can be replaced by C, A, or T). In a preferred embodiment, antisense compounds will have no more that three mismatches to a nucleic acid sequence encoding DGAT-1. The term “no more that three mismatches” embraces 0 mismatches, 1 mismatch, 2 mismatches and 3 mismatches. Percent identity is calculated according to the number of bases that have identical base pairing corresponding to the SEQ ID NO or antisense compound to which it is being compared. The non-identical bases may be adjacent to each other, dispersed through out the oligonucleotide, or both.

For example, a 16-mer having the same sequence as nucleobases 2-17 of a 20-mer is 80% identical to the 20-mer. Alternatively, a 20-mer containing four nucleobases not identical to the 20-mer is also 80% identical to the 20-mer. A 14-mer having the same sequence as nucleobases 1-14 of an 18-mer is 78% identical to the 18-mer. Such calculations are well within the ability of those skilled in the art, and furthermore, those skilled in the art readily recognize that calculations of percent identity may equate to non-whole number percentages.

The percent identity is based on the percent of nucleobases in the original sequence present in a portion of the modified sequence. Therefore, a 30 nucleobase antisense compound comprising the full sequence of the complement of a 20 nucleobase active target segment would have a portion of 100% identity with the complement of the 20 nucleobase active target segment, while further comprising an additional 10 nucleobase portion. In the context of the invention, the complement of an active target segment may constitute a single portion. In a preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides of the instant invention are at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, most preferably at least 95% identical to at least a portion of the complement of the active target segments presented herein.

It is well known by those skilled in the art that it is possible to increase or decrease the length of an antisense compound and/or introduce mismatch bases without eliminating activity. For example, in Woolf et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7305-7309, 1992, incorporated herein by reference), a series of ASOs 13-25 nucleobases in length were tested for their ability to induce cleavage of a target RNA in an oocyte injection model. ASOs 25 nucleobases in length with 8 or 11 mismatch bases near the ends of the ASOs were able to direct specific cleavage of the target mRNA, albeit to a lesser extent than the ASOs that contained no mismatches. Similarly, target specific cleavage was achieved using a 13 nucleobase ASOs, including those with 1 or 3 mismatches. Maher and Dolnick (Nuc. Acid. Res. 16:3341-3358, 1988, incorporated herein by reference) tested a series of tandem 14 nucleobase ASOs, and a 28 and 42 nucleobase ASOs comprised of the sequence of two or three of the tandem ASOs, respectively, for their ability to arrest translation of human DHFR in a rabbit reticulocyte assay. Each of the three 14 nucleobase ASOs alone were able to inhibit translation, albeit at a more modest level than the 28 or 42 nucleobase ASOs.

Therapeutics

The antisense compounds can be used to modulate the expression of DGAT-1 in an animal, such as a human. In one non-limiting embodiment, the methods comprise the step of administering to said animal in need of therapy for a disease or condition associated with DGAT-1 an effective amount of an antisense compound that inhibits expression of DGAT-1. A disease or condition associated with DGAT-1 includes, but is not limited to, liver fibrosis. In one embodiment, the antisense compounds of the present invention effectively inhibit the levels or function of DGAT-1 RNA. Because reduction in DGAT-1 mRNA levels can lead to alteration in DGAT-1 protein products of expression as well, such resultant alterations can also be measured. Antisense compounds of the present invention that effectively inhibit the level or function of DGAT-1 RNA or protein products of expression are considered an active antisense compounds. In one embodiment, the antisense compounds inhibit the expression of DGAT-1 causing a reduction of RNA by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 25%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 75%, by at least 80%, by at least 85%, by at least 90%, by at least 95%, by at least 98%, by at least 99%, or by 100%.

For example, the reduction of the expression of DGAT-1 can be measured in a bodily fluid, tissue or organ of the animal. Methods of obtaining samples for analysis, such as body fluids (e.g., blood), tissues (e.g., biopsy), or organs, and methods of preparation of the samples to allow for analysis are well known to those skilled in the art. Methods for analysis of RNA and protein levels are discussed above and are well known to those skilled in the art. The effects of treatment can be assessed by measuring biomarkers associated with the DGAT-1 expression in the aforementioned fluids, tissues or organs, collected from an animal contacted with one or more compounds of the invention, by routine clinical methods known in the art. These biomarkers include but are not limited to: liver transaminases, bilirubin, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatine and other markers of kidney and liver function; interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, intracellular adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein, chemokines, cytokines, and other markers of liver fibrosis, obesity, liver statosis, NASH, NAFLD, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome or cholesterolemia.

The antisense compounds of the present invention can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of a compound to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. Acceptable carriers and dilutents are well known to those skilled in the art. Selection of a dilutent or carrier is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the solubility of the compound and the route of administration. Such considerations are well understood by those skilled in the art. In one aspect, the compounds of the present invention inhibit the expression of DGAT-1. The compounds of the invention can also be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and disorders related to DGAT-1 expression.

Methods whereby bodily fluids, organs or tissues are contacted with an effective amount of one or more of the antisense compounds or compositions of the invention are also contemplated. Bodily fluids, organs or tissues can be contacted with one or more of the compounds of the invention resulting in modulation of DGAT-1 expression in the cells of bodily fluids, organs or tissues.

Thus, provided herein is the use of a modulator of DGAT-1, preferably an isolated single- or double-stranded antisense compound targeted to DGAT-1, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease or disorder by means of the method described above. In a more preferred embodiment, the antisense compound is a single stranded antisense compound. In a most preferred embodiment, the compound is a chimeric antisense compound comprising a consecutive nucleoside length range, wherein the upper end of the range is 50 nucleosides and wherein the lower end on the range is 12 nucleosides, further comprising one or more of a nucleobase modification, an internucleoside linkage modification, a high-affinity sugar modification or a combination thereof, and further comprising no more than three mismatches to a target nucleic acid sequence that encodes DGAT-1.

Kits, Research Reagents, and Diagnostics

The antisense compounds of the present invention can be utilized for diagnostics, and as research reagents and kits. Furthermore, antisense compounds, which are able to inhibit gene expression with specificity, are often used by those of ordinary skill to elucidate the function of particular genes or to distinguish between functions of various members of a biological pathway.

For use in kits and diagnostics, the antisense compounds of the present invention, either alone or in combination with other compounds or therapeutics, can be used as tools in differential and/or combinatorial analyses to elucidate expression patterns of a portion or the entire complement of genes expressed within cells and tissues. Methods of gene expression analysis are well known to those skilled in the art.

Compounds

The term “oligomeric compound” refers to a polymeric structure capable of hybridizing to a region of a nucleic acid molecule. Generally, oligomeric compounds comprise a plurality of monomeric subunits linked together by internucleoside linking groups and/or internucleoside linkage mimetics. Each of the monomeric subunits comprises a sugar, abasic sugar, modified sugar, or a sugar mimetic, and except for the abasic sugar includes a nucleobase, modified nucleobase or a nucleobase mimetic. Preferred monomeric subunits comprise nucleosides and modified nucleosides.

An “antisense compound” or “antisense oligomeric compound” refers to an oligomeric compound that is at least partially complementary to the region of a target nucleic acid molecule to which it hybridizes and which modulates (increases or decreases) its expression. This term includes oligonucleotides, oligonucleotides, oligonucleotide analogs, oligonucleotide mimetics, antisense compounds, antisense oligomeric compounds, and chimeric combinations of these. Consequently, while all antisense compounds can be said to be oligomeric compounds, not all oligomeric compounds are antisense compounds. An “antisense oligonucleotide” is an antisense compound that is a nucleic acid-based oligomer. An antisense oligonucleotide can, in some cases, include one or more chemical modifications to the sugar, base, and/or internucleoside linkages. Nonlimiting examples of antisense compounds include primers, probes, antisense compounds, antisense oligonucleotides, external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides, alternate splicers, and siRNAs. As such, these compounds can be introduced in the form of single-stranded, double-stranded, circular, branched or hairpins and can contain structural elements such as internal or terminal bulges or loops. Antisense double-stranded compounds can be two strands hybridized to form double-stranded compounds or a single strand with sufficient self complementarity to allow for hybridization and formation of a fully or partially double-stranded compound. The compounds of the instant invention are not auto-catalytic. As used herein, “auto-catalytic” means a compound has the ability to promote cleavage of the target RNA in the absence of accessory factors, e.g. proteins.

In one embodiment, the antisense compound comprises a single stranded oligonucleotide. In some embodiments of the invention the antisense compound contains chemical modifications. In a preferred embodiment, the antisense compound is a single stranded, chimeric oligonucleotide wherein the modifications of sugars, bases, and internucleoside linkages are independently selected. In a more preferred embodiment the compound is a chimeric antisense compound comprising a consecutive nucleoside length range, wherein the upper end of the range is 50 nucleosides and wherein the lower end on the range is 12 nucleosides, further comprising one or more of a nucleobase modification, an internucleoside linkage modification, a high-affinity sugar modification or a combination thereof, and further comprising no more than three mismatches to the target nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) that encodes DGAT-1.

The antisense compounds herein may comprise a consecutive nucleoside length range, wherein the upper end of the range is 50 nucleosides and wherein the lower end on the range is 12 nucleosides. More preferably, the upper end of the range is 35 nucleosides and the lower end of the range is 14 nucleosides. More preferably still the upper end of the range is 24 nucleosides and the lower end of the range is 17 nucleosides. Most preferably the antisense compound is 20 consecutive nucleosides. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the upper end of the range, as disclosed herein comprises 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 consecutive nucleosides and the lower end of the range comprises 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 consecutive nucleosides.

Antisense compounds, as disclosed herein, also comprise a stretch of at least 8, preferably at least 12, more preferably at least 15 consecutive nucleosides selected from within the active target regions are considered to be suitable antisense compounds as well.

Modifications can be made to the antisense compounds of the instant invention and may include conjugate groups attached to one of the termini, selected nucleobase positions, sugar positions or to one of the internucleoside linkages. Possible modifications include, but are not limited to, 2′-fluoro (2′-F), 2′-O-Methyl (2′-OMe), 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)(2′-MOE) high affinity sugar modifications, inverted abasic caps, deoxynucleobases, and bicyclice nucleobase analogs such as locked nucleic acids (LNA) and ethylene-bridged nucleic acids (ENA).

In one embodiment of the invention, double-stranded antisense compounds encompass short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). As used herein, the term “siRNA” is defined as a double-stranded compound having a first and second strand, each strand having a central portion and two independent terminal portions. The central portion of the first strand is complementary to the central portion of the second strand, allowing hybridization of the strands. The terminal portions are independently, optionally complementary to the corresponding terminal portion of the complementary strand. The ends of the strands may be modified by the addition of one or more natural or modified nucleosides to form an overhang.

Each strand of the siRNA duplex may fall within the length ranges disclosed above. In a preferred embodiment, each strand of the siRNA duplex is about 17 to about 25 nucleosides. The two strands may be fully complementary (i.e., form a blunt ended compound), or include a 5′ or 3′ overhang on one or both strands. Double-stranded compounds can be made to include chemical modifications as discussed herein.

Chemical Modifications

As is known in the art, and as referred to herein, the term “nucleoside” is used to refer to a base-sugar combination of a nucleic acid monomer unit. The base portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base. The two most common classes of such heterocyclic bases are the purines and the pyrimidines. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. In forming oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups covalently link adjacent nucleosides to one another to form a linear polymeric compound. Within oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside backbone of the oligonucleotide. The normal linkage or backbone of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage. It is often preferable to include chemical modifications in oligonucleotides to alter their activity. Chemical modifications can alter oligonucleotide activity by, for example: increasing affinity of an antisense oligonucleotide for its target RNA, increasing nuclease resistance, and/or altering the pharmacokinetics of the oligonucleotide. The use of chemistries that increase the affinity of an oligonucleotide for its target can allow for the use of shorter oligonucleotide compounds.

The term “nucleobase” or “heterocyclic base moiety” as used herein, refers to the heterocyclic base portion of a nucleoside. In general, a nucleobase is any group that contains one or more atom or groups of atoms capable of hydrogen bonding to a base of another nucleic acid. In addition to “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases such as the purine nucleobases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine nucleobases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U), many modified nucleobases or nucleobase mimetics known to those skilled in the art are amenable to the present invention. The terms modified nucleobase and nucleobase mimetic can overlap but generally a modified nucleobase refers to a nucleobase that is fairly similar in structure to the parent nucleobase, such as for example a 7-deaza purine or a 5-methyl cytosine, whereas a nucleobase mimetic would include more complicated structures, such as for example a tricyclic phenoxazine nucleobase mimetic. Methods for preparation of the above noted modified nucleobases are well known to those skilled in the art.

Antisense compounds of the present invention may also contain one or more nucleosides having modified sugar moieties. The furanosyl sugar ring of a nucleoside can be modified in a number of ways including, but not limited to, addition of a substituent group, bridging of two non-geminal ring atoms to form a bicyclic nucleic acid (BNA) and substitution of an atom or group such as —S—, —N(R)— or —C(R₁)(R₂) for the ring oxygen at the 4′-position. Modified sugar moieties are well known and can be used to alter, typically increase, the affinity of the antisense compound for its target and/or increase nuclease resistance. A representative list of preferred modified sugars includes but is not limited to bicyclic modified sugars (BNA's), including LNA and ENA (4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′ bridge); and substituted sugars, especially 2′-substituted sugars having a 2′-F, 2′-OCH₂ or a 2′-O(CH₂)₂—OCH₃ substituent group. Sugars can also be replaced with sugar mimetic groups among others. Methods for the preparations of modified sugars are well known to those skilled in the art.

Internucleoside linking groups link the nucleosides or otherwise modified monomer units together, thereby forming an antisense compound. The two main classes of internucleoside linking groups are defined by the presence or absence of a phosphorus atom. Representative phosphorus containing internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphodiesters, phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, phosphoramidate, and phosphorothioates. Representative non-phosphorus containing internucleoside linking groups include, but are not limited to, methylenemethylimino (—CH₂—N(CH₃)—O—CH₂—), thiodiester (—O—C(O)—S—), thionocarbamate (—O—C(O)(NH)—S—); siloxane (—O—Si(H)₂—O—); and N,N′-dimethylhydrazine (—CH₂—N(CH₃)—N(CH₃)—). Antisense compounds having non-phosphorus internucleoside linking groups are referred to as oligonucleosides. Modified internucleoside linkages, compared to natural phosphodiester linkages, can be used to alter, typically increase, nuclease resistance of the antisense compound. Internucleoside linkages having a chiral atom can be prepared racemic, chiral, or as a mixture. Representative chiral internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, alkylphosphonates and phosphorothioates. Methods of preparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containing linkages are well known to those skilled in the art.

As used herein the term “mimetic” refers to groups that are substituted for a sugar, a nucleobase, and/or internucleoside linkage. Generally, a mimetic is used in place of the sugar or sugar-internucleoside linkage combination, and the nucleobase is maintained for hybridization to a selected target. Representative examples of a sugar mimetic include, but are not limited to, cyclohexenyl or morpholino. Representative examples of a mimetic for a sugar-internucleoside linkage combination include, but are not limited to, peptide nucleic acids (PNA) and morpholino groups linked by uncharged achiral linkages. In some instances a mimetic is used in place of the nucleobase. Representative nucleobase mimetics are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, tricyclic phenoxazine analogs and universal bases (Berger et al., Nuc Acid Res. 2000, 28:2911-14, incorporated herein by reference). Methods of synthesis of sugar, nucleoside and nucleobase mimetics are well known to those skilled in the art.

As used herein the term “nucleoside” includes, nucleosides, abasic nucleosides, modified nucleosides, and nucleosides having mimetic bases and/or sugar groups.

In the context of this invention, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to an oligomeric compound which is an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This term includes oligonucleotides composed of naturally- and non-naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent internucleoside linkages, possibly further including non-nucleic acid conjugates.

The present invention provides compounds having reactive phosphorus groups useful for forming internucleoside linkages including for example phosphodiester and phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. Methods of preparation and/or purification of precursors or antisense compounds of the instant invention are not a limitation of the compositions or methods of the invention. Methods for synthesis and purification of DNA, RNA, and the antisense compounds of the instant invention are well known to those skilled in the art.

As used herein the term “chimeric antisense compound” refers to an antisense compound, having at least one sugar, nucleobase and/or internucleoside linkage that is differentially modified as compared to the other sugars, nucleobases and internucleoside linkages within the same oligomeric compound. The remainder of the sugars, nucleobases and internucleoside linkages can be independently modified or unmodified. In general a chimeric oligomeric compound will have modified nucleosides that can be in isolated positions or grouped together in regions that will define a particular motif. Any combination of modifications and or mimetic groups can comprise a chimeric oligomeric compound of the present invention.

Chimeric oligomeric compounds typically contain at least one region modified so as to confer increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. An additional region of the oligomeric compound may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease that cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of inhibition of gene expression. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter oligomeric compounds when chimeras are used, compared to for example phosphorothioate deoxyoligonucleotides hybridizing to the same target region. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art.

Certain chimeric as well as non-chimeric oligomeric compounds can be further described as having a particular motif. As used in the present invention the term “motif” refers to the orientation of modified sugar moieties and/or sugar mimetic groups in an antisense compound relative to like or differentially modified or unmodified nucleosides. As used in the present invention, the terms “sugars”, “sugar moieties” and “sugar mimetic groups” are used interchangeably. Such motifs include, but are not limited to, gapped motifs, alternating motifs, fully modified motifs, hemimer motifs, blockmer motifs, and positionally modified motifs. The sequence and the structure of the nucleobases and type of internucleoside linkage is not a factor in determining the motif of an antisense compound.

As used in the present invention the term “gapped motif” refers to an antisense compound comprising a contiguous sequence of nucleosides that is divided into 3 regions, an internal region (gap) flanked by two external regions (wings). The regions are differentiated from each other at least by having differentially modified sugar groups that comprise the nucleosides. In some embodiments, each modified region is uniformly modified (e.g. the modified sugar groups in a given region are identical); however, other motifs can be applied to regions. For example, the wings in a gapmer could have an alternating motif. The nucleosides located in the gap of a gapped antisense compound have sugar moieties that are different than the modified sugar moieties in each of the wings. By way of example only, and not limitation, an antisense compound that is 20 nucleobases in length comprising five consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 5′ end of the compound, followed by ten consecutive 2′ deoxy sugars which are followed by five consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 3′ end of the compound. This motif represents a 2′ deoxy gap flanked by 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) wings. In a further non-limiting example, an antisense compound is 14 nucleobases in length comprising three consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 5′ end of the compound, followed by eight consecutive 2′ deoxy sugars which are followed by three consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 3′ end of the compound. This motif also represents a 2′ deoxy gap flanked by 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) wings.

As used in the present invention the term “alternating motif” refers to an antisense compound comprising a contiguous sequence of nucleosides comprising two differentially sugar modified nucleosides that alternate for essentially the entire sequence of the antisense compound, or for essentially the entire sequence of a region of an antisense compound.

As used in the present invention the term “fully modified motif” refers to an antisense compound comprising a contiguous sequence of nucleosides wherein essentially each nucleoside is a sugar modified nucleoside having uniform modification.

As used in the present invention the term “hemimer motif” refers to a sequence of nucleosides that have uniform sugar moieties (identical sugars, modified or unmodified) and wherein one of the 5′-end or the 3′-end has a sequence of from 2 to 12 nucleosides that are sugar modified nucleosides that are different from the other nucleosides in the hemimer modified antisense compound.

As used in the present invention the term “blockmer motif” refers to a sequence of nucleosides that have uniform sugars (identical sugars, modified or unmodified) that is internally interrupted by a block of sugar modified nucleosides that are unifoHnly modified and wherein the modification is different from the other nucleosides. Methods of preparation of chimeric oligonucleotide compounds are well known to those skilled in the art.

As used in the present invention the term “positionally modified motif” comprises all other motifs. Methods of preparation of positionally modified oligonucleotide compounds are well known to those skilled in the art.

The compounds described herein contain one or more asymmetric centers and thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric configurations that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R) or (S), α or β, or as (D) or (L) such as for amino acids et al. The present invention is meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms.

In one aspect of the present invention antisense compounds are modified by covalent attachment of one or more conjugate groups. Conjugate groups may be attached by reversible or irreversible attachments. Conjugate groups may be attached directly to antisense compounds or by use of a linker. Linkers may be mono- or bifunctional linkers. Such attachment methods and linkers are well known to those skilled in the art. In general, conjugate groups are attached to antisense compounds to modify one or more properties. Such considerations are well known to those skilled in the art.

Oligomer Synthesis

Oligomerization of modified and unmodified nucleosides can be performed according to literature procedures for DNA (Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs, Ed. Agrawal (1993), Humana Press) and/or RNA (Scaringe, Methods (2001), 23, 206-217. Gait et al., Applications of Chemically synthesized RNA in RNA: Protein Interactions, Ed. Smith (1998), 1-36. Gallo et al., Tetrahedron (2001), 57, 5707-5713).

Antisense compounds of the present invention can be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art may additionally or alternatively be employed. It is well known to use similar techniques to prepare oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives. The invention is not limited by the method of antisense compound synthesis.

Oligomer Purification and Analysis

Methods of oligonucleotide purification and analysis are known to those skilled in the art. Analysis methods include capillary electrophoresis (CE) and electrospray-mass spectroscopy. Such synthesis and analysis methods can be performed in multi-well plates. The method of the invention is not limited by the method of oligomer purification.

Salts, Prodrugs and Bioequivalents

Compounds may comprise any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other functional chemical equivalent which, upon administration to an animal including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to prodrugs comprising the antisense compounds, which may further comprise, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents.

The term “prodrug” indicates a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive or less active form that is converted to an active form (i.e., drug) within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes, chemicals, and/or conditions. In particular, prodrug versions of the compounds are prepared as SATE ((S-acetyl-2-thioethyl) phosphate) derivatives according to the methods disclosed in WO 93/24510 or WO 94/26764. Prodrugs can include antisense compounds wherein one or both ends comprise nucleosides that are cleaved (e.g., phosphodiester backbone linkages) to produce the active compound.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds: i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto. By example only, sodium salts of antisense oligonucleotides are useful and are well accepted for therapeutic administration to humans. In another embodiment, sodium salts of dsRNA compounds are also provided.

Formulations

The compounds may also be admixed, encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds. In a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise a compound that modulated DGAT-1 activity. More preferably, the compound is a specific inhibitor of DGAT-1 activity. More preferably, the compound is an antisense compound. The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated.

Pharmaceutical formulations, which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers, finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product (e.g., into a specific particle size for delivery).

A “pharmaceutical carrier” or “excipient” can be a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to an animal and are known in the art. The excipient may be liquid or solid and is selected, with the planned manner of administration in mind, so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with a nucleic acid and the other components of a given pharmaceutical composition.

Combinations

Compositions can contain two or more compounds. In a preferred embodiment, the two or more compounds are modulators of DGAT-1 activity. In a further preferred embodiment, the two or more compounds are useful for treating liver fibrosis, either directly or by treating a causative etiological factor. In another related embodiment, compositions can contain one or more antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, targeted to a first nucleic acid and one or more additional antisense compounds targeted to a second nucleic acid target. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first nucleic acid targeted is DGAT-1 and the second nucleic acid targeted is associated with an underlying etiological factor for liver fibrosis; for example DGAT-2. DGAT-2 has been disclosed as a treatment for obesity, diabetes, liver steatosis, cholesterolemia and other similar indications. (U.S. Published App. No.: US2005-0272680). Alternatively, compositions can contain two or more antisense compounds targeted to different regions of the same nucleic acid target. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

Nonlimiting Disclosure and Incorporation by Reference

While certain compounds, compositions and methods of the present invention have been described with specificity in accordance with certain embodiments, the following examples serve only to illustrate the compounds of the invention and are not intended to limit the same. Each of the references, GenBank accession numbers, and the like recited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

EXAMPLE 1 Cell Types and Transfection Methods

Cell types—The effect of oligomeric compounds on target nucleic acid expression was tested in one or more of the following cell types.

HepG2 cells: The human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Va.). HepG2 cells were routinely cultured in Eagle's MEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, non-essential amino acids, and 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #3872) at a density of 7000 cells/well for use in RT-PCR analysis.

b.END cells: The mouse brain endothelial cell line b.END was obtained from Dr. Werner Risau at the Max Plank Institute (Bad Nauheim, Germany). b.END cells were routinely cultured in DMEM, high glucose (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #3872) at a density of 3000 cells/well for use in RT-PCR analysis.

For Northern blotting or other analysis, cells may be seeded onto 100 mm or other standard tissue culture plates and treated similarly, using appropriate volumes of medium and oligonucleotide.

Treatment with oligomeric compounds: When cells reach appropriate confluency, they are treated with oligonucleotide using a transfection method as described.

Lipofectin™ When cells reached 65-75% confluency, they were treated with oligonucleotide. Oligonucleotide was mixed with LIPOFECTIN™ Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) in Opti-MEM™-1 reduced serum medium (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) to achieve the desired concentration of oligonucleotide and a LIPOFECTIN™ concentration of 2.5 or 3 μg/mL per 100 nM oligonucleotide. This transfection mixture was incubated at room temperature for approximately 0.5 hours. For cells grown in 96-well plates, wells were washed once with 100 μL OPTI-MEM™-1 and then treated with 130 μL of the transfection mixture. Cells grown in 24-well plates or other standard tissue culture plates are treated similarly, using appropriate volumes of medium and oligonucleotide. Cells are treated and data are obtained in duplicate or triplicate. After approximately 4-7 hours of treatment at 37° C., the medium containing the transfection mixture was replaced with fresh culture medium. Cells were harvested 16-24 hours after oligonucleotide treatment.

Control Oligonucleotides

Control oligonucleotides are used to determine the optimal oligomeric compound concentration for a particular cell line. Furthermore, when oligomeric compounds of the invention are tested in oligomeric compound screening experiments or phenotypic assays, control oligonucleotides are tested in parallel with compounds of the invention.

The concentration of oligonucleotide used varies from cell line to cell line. To determine the optimal oligonucleotide concentration for a particular cell line, the cells are treated with a positive control oligonucleotide at a range of concentrations. The concentration of positive control oligonucleotide that results in 80% inhibition of the target mRNA is then utilized as the screening concentration for new oligonucleotides in subsequent experiments for that cell line. If 80% inhibition is not achieved, the lowest concentration of positive control oligonucleotide that results in 60% inhibition of the target mRNA is then utilized as the oligonucleotide screening concentration in subsequent experiments for that cell line. If 60% inhibition is not achieved, that particular cell line is deemed as unsuitable for oligonucleotide transfection experiments. The concentrations of antisense oligonucleotides used herein are from 50 nM to 300 nM when the antisense oligonucleotide is transfected using a liposome reagent and 1 μM to 40 μM when the antisense oligonucleotide is transfected by electroporation.

For human cells the positive control oligonucleotide is selected from either Oligo 13920 (TCCGTCATCGCTCCTCAGGG, SEQ ID NO: 10) which is targeted to human H-ras, or Oligo 18078, (GTGCGCGCGAGCCCGAAATC, SEQ ID NO: 11) which is targeted to human Jun-N-terminal kinase-2 (JNK2). Both controls are 2′-O-methoxyethyl gapmers (2′-O-methoxyethyls shown in bold) with a phosphorothioate backbone. For mouse or rat cells the positive control oligonucleotide is Oligo 15770 (ATGCATTCTGCCCCCAAGGA, SEQ ID NO: 12).

EXAMPLE 2 Real-time Quantitative PCR Analysis of DGAT-1 mRNA Levels

Quantitation of DGAT-1 mRNA levels was accomplished by real-time quantitative PCR using the ABI PRISM™7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to manufacturer's instructions.

Prior to quantitative PCR analysis, primer-probe sets specific to the DGAT-1 being measured were evaluated for their ability to be “multiplexed” with a GAPDH amplification reaction. After isolation the RNA is subjected to sequential reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction and real-time PCR, both of which are performed in the same well. RT and PCR reagents were obtained from Invitrogen Life Technologies (Carlsbad, Calif.). RT, real-time PCR was carried out in the same by adding 20 μL PCR cocktail (2.5×PCR buffer minus MgCl₂, 6.6 mM MgCl₂, 375 μM each of dATP, dCTP, dCTP and dGTP, 375 nM each of forward primer and reverse primer, 125 nM of probe, 4 Units RNAse inhibitor, 1.25 Units PLATINUM® Taq, 5 Units MuLV reverse transcriptase, and 2.5×ROX dye) to 96-well plates containing 30 μL total RNA solution (20-200 ng). The RT reaction was carried out by incubation for 30 minutes at 48° C. Following a 10 minute incubation at 95° C. to activate the PLATINUM® Taq, 40 cycles of a two-step PCR protocol were carried out: 95° C. for 15 seconds (denaturation) followed by 60° C. for 1.5 minutes (annealing/extension).

Gene target quantities obtained by RT, real-time PCR were normalized using either the expression level of GAPDH, a gene whose expression is constant, or by quantifying total RNA using RiboGreen™ (Molecular Probes, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.). GAPDH expression was quantified by RT, real-time PCR, by being run simultaneously with the target, multiplexing, or separately. Total RNA was quantified using RiboGreen™ RNA quantification reagent (Molecular Probes, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.).

170 μL of RiboGreen™ working reagent (RiboGreen™ reagent diluted 1:350 in 10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.5) was pipetted into a 96-well plate containing 30 μL purified cellular RNA. The plate was read in a CytoFluor 4000 (PE Applied Biosystems) with excitation at 485 nm and emission at 530 nm.

The GAPDH PCR probes have JOE covalently linked to the 5′ end and TAMRA or MGB covalently linked to the 3′ end, where JOE is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA or MGB is the quencher dye. In some cell types, primers and probe designed to a GAPDH sequence from a different species are used to measure GAPDH expression. For example, a human GAPDH primer and probe set is used to measure GAPDH expression in monkey-derived cells and cell lines.

Probes and primers for use in real-time PCR were designed to hybridize to target-specific sequences. The primers and probes and the target nucleic acid sequences to which they hybridize are presented in Table 2. The target-specific PCR probes have fluorescent dye and quencher dye covalently linked to the compounds.

TABLE 2 DGAT-1-specific primers and probes for use in real-time PCR Target SEQ SEQ Sequence ID Species ID NO Description Sequence (5′ to 3′) NO Human Fwd Primer TCCCCGCATCCGGAA 13 Human Rev Primer CTGGGTGAAGAACAGCATCTCA 14 Human Probe FAM-CGCTTTCTGCTGCGACGGATCC-TAMRA 15 Mouse Fwd Primer GAAGGTGAAGGTCGGAGTC 16 Mouse Rev Primer GAAGATGGTGATGGGATTTC 17 Mouse Probe JOE-CAAGCTTCCCGTTCTCAGCC- TAMRA 98

EXAMPLE 3 Antisense Inhibition of Human DGAT-1 Expression by Oligomeric Compounds

A series of antisense compounds was designed to target different regions of human DGAT-1 RNA, using published sequences or portions of published sequences as cited in Table 1. The screen identified active target segments within the human DGAT-1 mRNA sequence, specifically GenBank number (SEQ ID NO: 4). Compounds in Table 3 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytosine residues are 5-methyl cytosine. Data are averages from three experiments in which HepG2 cells were treated with 75 nM of the antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention.

TABLE 3 Inhibition of human DGAT-1 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap TARGET SEQ CMPD SEQ ID TARGET % ID # REGION NO SITE SEQUENCE INHIB NO 191617 5′UTR 4 1 gccgcctctctcgtccattc 57 18 191619 5′UTR 4 21 gagccgctaactaatggacg 37 19 191621 5′UTR 4 41 acaacggctgcgttgctccg 30 20 191623 5′UTR 4 71 ccgcccgcgtcaggcccgtc 40 21 191625 5′UTR 4 91 gcctcaccagcgcgttcaac 20 22 191627 5′UTR 4 120 ccctgccggccgccgtagcc 24 23 191629 5′UTR 4 151 ctccgggccctagacaacgg 45 24 191631 5′UTR 4 181 gttcgtagcgcccgaggcgc 53 25 191633 5′UTR 4 211 cccggccgcagccaagcgtg 44 26 191635 Start 4 231 gcccatggcctcagcccgca 77 27 Codon 191637 Coding 4 281 tggctcgagggccgcgaccc 58 28 191639 Coding 4 301 ccgcaggcccgccgccgccg 49 29 191641 Coding 4 321 ccgcacctcttcttccgccg 40 30 191643 Coding 4 401 acgccggcgtctccgtcctt 92 31 191645 Coding 4 421 gctcccagtggccgctgccc 60 32 191647 Coding 4 441 ctgcaggcgatggcacctca 85 33 191649 Coding 4 491 aggatgccacggtagttgct 62 34 191651 Coding 4 511 gcatcaccacacaccagttc 37 35 191653 Coding 4 561 gccatacttgatgaggttct 48 36 191655 Coding 4 651 gacattggccgcaataacca 47 37 191657 Coding 4 681 cttctcaacctggaatgcag 29 38 191659 Coding 4 721 gcagtcccgcctgctccgtc 50 39 191661 Coding 4 741 caggttggctacgtgcagca 31 40 191663 Coding 4 781 ccagtaagaccacagccgct 62 41 191665 Coding 4 831 ggtgtgcgccatcagcgcca 59 42 191667 Coding 4 931 cagcactgctggccttcttc 52 43 191669 Coding 4 1021 tgagctcgtagcacaaggtg 43 44 191671 Coding 4 1121 cactgctggatcagccccac 20 45 191673 Coding 4 1181 atgcgtgagtagtccatgtc 59 46 191675 Coding 4 1231 tgagccagatgaggtgattg 62 47 191677 Coding 4 1281 gagctcagccacggcattca 76 48 191679 Coding 4 1351 tctgccagaagtaggtgaca 30 49 191681 Coding 4 1611 gatgagcgacagccacacag 21 50 191683 Coding 4 1671 ctcatagttgagcacgtagt 73 51 191685 3′UTR 4 1721 cagtgagaagccaggccctc 68 52 191687 3′UTR 4 1781 ccatccccagcactcgaggc 68 53 191689 3′UTR 4 1801 aggatgctgtgcagccaggc 73 54 191691 3′UTR 4 1851 ggtgcaggacagagccccat 72 55 191693 3′UTR 4 1881 gtgtctggcctgctgtcgcc 71 56 191695 3′UTR 4 1901 ctcccagctggcatcagact 76 57

As shown in Table 3, SEQ ID Nos. 18, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57 demonstrated at least 50% inhibition of human DGAT-1 expression in this assay and are therefore preferred. More preferred are SEQ ID NOs 31, 33, 27, and 57. The target regions to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as “preferred target segments” and are therefore preferred for targeting by compounds of the present invention. These preferred target segments are shown in Table 3. The sequences represent the reverse complement of the preferred antisense compounds shown in Table 1. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target nucleic acid to which the oligonucleotide binds. Also shown in Table 3 is the species in which each of the preferred target segments was found.

EXAMPLE 4 Antisense Inhibition of Mouse DGAT-1 Expression by Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap

In accordance with the present invention, a second series of antisense compounds was designed to target different regions of the mouse DGAT-1 RNA, using published sequences (GenBank accession number AF078752.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 7). The compounds are shown in Table 4. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target nucleic acid to which the compound binds. All compounds in Table 4 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytosine residues are 5-methyl cytosine. The compounds were analyzed for their effect on mouse DGAT-1 mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from three experiments in which b.END cells were treated with the antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention. If present, “N.D.” indicates “no data”.

TABLE 4 Inhibition of mouse DGAT-1 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap TARGET SEQ CMPD SEQ ID TARGET % ID # REGION NO SITE SEQUENCE INHIB NO 191723 5′UTR 7 1 ctacttatttccattcatcc 2 58 191724 5′UTR 7 21 tatcctaagtatgcctaatt 0 59 191725 5′UTR 7 31 gcttgagccctatcctaagt 0 60 191726 5′UTR 7 61 ctcgtcgcggcccaatcttc 21 61 191727 Start 7 81 cccatggcttcggcccgcac 48 62 Codon 191729 Coding 7 191 cagccgcgtctcgcacctcg 74 63 191730 Coding 7 232 cggagccggcgcgtcacccc 63 64 191731 Coding 7 281 ccacgctggtccgcccgtct 67 65 191732 Coding 7 301 cagatcccagtagccgtcgc 59 66 191733 Coding 7 321 tcttgcagacgatggcacct 49 67 191734 Coding 7 371 tcaggataccacgataattg 48 68 191735 Coding 7 391 cagcatcaccacacaccaat 52 69 191736 Coding 7 411 aaccttgcattactcaggat 62 70 191737 Coding 7 451 atccaccaggatgccatact 29 71 191738 Coding 7 471 agagacaccacctggatagg 42 72 191740 Coding 7 601 cagcagccccatctgctctg 63 73 191741 Coding 7 621 gccaggttaaccacatgtag 58 74 191742 Coding 7 661 aaccagtaaggccacagctg 16 75 191743 Coding 7 681 cccactggagtgatagactc 42 76 191744 Coding 7 711 atggagtatgatgccagagc 53 77 191745 Coding 7 771 acccttcgctggcggcacca 68 78 191746 Coding 7 841 tggatagctcacagcttgct 56 79 191747 Coding 7 861 tctcggtaggtcaggttgtc 32 80 191748 Coding 7 961 ctcaagaactcgtcgtagca 60 81 191749 Coding 7 1001 gttggatcagccccacttga 37 82 191750 Coding 7 1061 gtgaatagtccatatccttg 48 83 191751 Coding 7 1081 taagagacgctcaatgatcc 18 84 191752 Coding 7 1161 tctgccacagcattgagaca 50 85 191753 Coding 7 1201 ccaatctctgtagaactcgc 55 86 191754 Coding 7 1221 gtgacagactcagcattcca 56 87 191755 Coding 7 1271 gtctgatgcaccacttgtgc 72 88 191756 Coding 7 1301 tgccatgtctgagcataggc 70 89 191757 Coding 7 1331 atactcctgtcctggccacc 65 90 191759  Coding 7 1471 attgccatagttcccttgga 68 91 191760 Coding 7 1491 agtgtcacccacacagctgc 66 92 191761 Coding 7 1511 ccaccggttgcccaatgatg 71 93 191762 Coding 7 1531 gtggacatacatgagcacag 62 94 191763 Coding 7 1551 tagttgagcacgtagtagtc 40 95 191764 Stop 7 1586 ctttggcagtagctcatacc 37 96 Codon 191765 3′UTR 7 1621 tccagaactccaggcccagg 59 97

As shown in Table 2, SEQ ID Nos. 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 73, 74, 77, 78, 79, 81, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94 and 97 demonstrated at least 50% inhibition of mouse DGAT-1 expression in this experiment and are therefore preferred. More preferred are SEQ ID Nos. 63, 88, 91, and 93. The target regions to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as “preferred target segments” and are therefore preferred for targeting by compounds of the present invention. These preferred target segments of the mRNA are shown in Table 3 as the appropriate RNA sequence, where thymine (T) has been replaced with uracil (U) to reflect correct representation of an RNA sequence. The sequences represent the reverse complement of the preferred antisense compounds shown in Tables 1 and 2. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target nucleic acid to which the oligonucleotide binds. Also shown in Table 3 is the species in which each of the preferred target segments was found.

EXAMPLE 5 Western Blot Analysis of DGAT-1 Levels

Western blot analysis (immunoblot analysis) is carried out using standard methods. Cells are harvested 16-20 h after oligonucleotide treatment, washed once with PBS, suspended in Laemmli buffer (100 μL/well), boiled for 5 minutes and loaded on a 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Gels are run for 1.5 hours at 150 V, and transferred to membrane for western blotting. Appropriate primary antibody directed to DGAT-1 is used, with a radiolabeled or fluorescently labeled secondary antibody directed against the primary antibody species. Bands are visualized using a PHOSPHORIMAGER® instrument (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale Calif.).

EXAMPLE 6 Antisense Inhibition of Mouse DGAT-1 Expression: Dose Response in b.END Cells

In accordance with the present invention, six oligonucleotides targeted to mouse DGAT-1, CMPD#191729 (SEQ ID NO: 63), CMPD#191731 (SEQ ID NO: 65), CMPD#191755 (SEQ ID NO: 88), CMPD#191756 (SEQ ID NO: 89), CMPD#191759 (SEQ ID NO: 91), and CMPD#191761 (SEQ ID NO: 93), were further investigated in a dose response study.

In the dose-response experiment, with mRNA levels as the endpoint, b.END cells were treated with CMPD#191729, CMPD#191731, CMPD#191755, CMPD#191756, CMPD#191759, or CMPD#191761 at doses of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 nM oligonucleotide. Data were obtained by real-time quantitative PCR as described in other examples herein and are averaged from three experiments and are normalized to untreated control cells. The data are shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Inhibition of mouse DGAT-1 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap: dose response Dose (nM) SEQ ID 1 5 10 25 50 100 CMPD # NO % Inhibition 191729 63 26 62 78 80 83 83 191731 65 27 58 57 58 82 85 191755 88 41 59 72 75 83 79 191756 89 13 39 59 65 81 75 191759 91 26 44 74 80 82 86 191761 93 23 63 71 80 85 87

These data presented in Table 5 indicate that the antisense compounds are capable of reducing DGAT-1 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner.

EXAMPLE 7 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of DGAT-1 (CMPD#191761) on Liver Fibrosis—In Vivo Studies

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat that regulates appetite. Deficiencies in this hormone in both humans and non-human animals lead to obesity. db/db mice have a mutation in the leptin receptor gene which results in obesity, hyperglycemia and fatty liver, and so, these mice are good models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this example, oligomeric compounds of the present invention are tested in the db/db NASH model.

Six-week old male C57B1/6J-Lepr db/db mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Me.) are fed a control diet (chow. n=6) or a methionine choline deficient diet (MCD diet). The MCD diet mice were further separated into placebo groups (saline treatment) or treatment groups (DGAT-1 antisense compound treatment). The placebo and treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with saline or antisense compound, accordingly, twice a week for either four weeks (n=8) or for eight weeks (n=7). For both the four week treatment and the eight week treatment there were placebo mice member and treatment mice members. The treatment group received 25 mg/kg of CMPD#191761 per each injection. At the end of the treatment period serum was drawn and the mice were sacrificed.

Expression of DGAT-1, TNF.alpha, TGF.beta, aSMA, collagen and TIMP-1 mRNA was evaluated using real time PCR of total RNA from whole liver tissues. Liver steatosis was evaluated by triglyceride content using Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and red-oil staining. Serum ALT and other serum parameters were also measured.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and parenchymal cells were separated using standard techniques that are known to those ordinarily skilled in the art and DGAT-1 mRNA levels were determined. HSC expressed seven fold more DGAT-1 mRNA than did the hepatocytes. In the placebo group the DGAT-1 mRNA levels fell by about 70% at week 4, but returned to baseline by week 8. There was not a significant difference in the expression of DGAT-2 between the groups. Thus, the DGAT-1 antisense compound is specific for DGAT-1. (FIG. 1). The treatment group DGAT-1 mRNA fell by about 95% at week 4 and remained at that level at week 8. However, DGAT-1 antisense compound treatment did not protect the treatment group from hepatic steatosis. Liver triglyceride content and steatosis scores were similar for both the placebo group and the treatment group throughout the study (both groups being about 2-3 fold higher than the chow control group). Serum AST levels were similarly comparable for the placebo and treatment groups (618±80 and 557±49 v. 130±10 IU/L p<0.01). (FIGS. 2 and 3)

Inhibition of DGAT-1 decreased MCD diet induced liver fibrosis. Compared to the livers of placebo group, the treatment group had less sirus-red staining and 20-30% lower levels of hepatic hydroxyproline (p<0.05 for both). (FIG. 4). Hepatic expression of TGF.beta., aSMA and collagen mRNA were decreased by 48%, 67% and 58%, respectively. (FIG. 5). Inhibiting DGAT-1 in the liver reduces both HSC activation and liver fibrosis in mouse models of NASH.

EXAMPLE 8 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of DGAT-2 (CMPD#217376) on Liver Fibrosis—In Vivo Studies

DGAT-2 is expressed in hepatocytes and is associated with hepatic steatosis. Treatment with an antisense compound that inhibits DGAT-2 expression improves hepatic steatosis in obese mice (U.S. Patent Application No: US2005-0272680, incorporated herein by reference). Liver fat is a causative etiological factor for liver fibrosis.

Six-week old male C57B1/6J-Lepr db/db mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Me.) are fed one of a control diet (chow. n=6) or a methionine choline deficient diet (MCD diet). The MCD diet mice were further separated into placebo groups (saline treatment) or treatment groups (DGAT-2 antisense compound treatment). The placebo and treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with saline or antisense compound, accordingly, twice a week for either four weeks (n=8) or for eight weeks (n=7). For both the four week treatment and the eight week treatment there were placebo mice member and treatment mice members. The treatment group received 25 mg/kg of CMPD#217376 (tccatttattagtctaggaa; SEQ ID NO: 99) per each injection. CMPD#217376 is a chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length and targeted to mouse DGAT-2 mRNA (Gen Bank Accession No: AK002443.1, Feb. 15, 2001, and SEQ ID NO: 100), composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (T-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytosine residues are 5-methyl cytosines. At the end of the treatment period serum was drawn and the mice were sacrificed.

Expression of DGAT-2, TNF.alpha, TGF.beta, aSMA, collagen and TIMP-1 mRNA was evaluated using real time PCR of total RNA from whole liver tissues. Cells were isolated using standard techniques that are known to those ordinarily skilled in the rat. Liver steatosis was evaluated by triglyceride content using Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and red-oil staining. Serum ALT and other serum parameters were also measured.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and parenchymal cells were separated using standard techniques that are known to those ordinarily skilled in the art and DGAT-1 mRNA levels were determined. Hepatocytes expressed about 150 fold more DGAT-2 mRNA than did HSC. Hepatic expression of DGAT-2 mRNA was not changed by MCD feed compared to normal chow. But, there was a 90% greater reduction in DGAT-2 expression for the treatment group compared to the placebo group (8 weeks; p<0.001 v. controls). DGAT-2 antisense compound did not significantly change the expression of DGAT-1. (FIG. 6) Liver triglyceride content was increased about 2 fold for the control group over the placebo group. Similarly, serum ALT levels, and hepatic expression of TGF.beta., a-SMA, TIMP-1 and collagen mRNA was increased 6-fold, 2-fold, 4-fold, 10-fold and 6-fold, respectively, in the control mice over the placebo mice (p<0.01 v. control). Hydroxyproline was 40% higher in the MCD diet group compared to the control group (8 weeks; p<0.05), and Sirius red staining was increased. (FIGS. 7 and 8)

The treatment group had a reduced hepatic steatosis score compared to the placebo group (treatment group score 1 v. placebo group score 4), and hepatic triglyceride content was reduced by about 35% for the treatment group. Hepatic mRNA levels for TNF.alpha. and TGF.beta. were reduced in the treatment group, but there was an increase in the levels of serum ALT, hepatic a-SMA mRNA and TIMP-1 by 3 fold, 2 fold and 2 fold, respectively. (FIG. 9) There were no significant differences between the placebo group and the treatment group for the hepatic expression of collagen and fibronectin mRNA. DGAT-2 is an effective treatment for liver statosis; however, in this mouse model following 8 weeks of treatment there is not a significant improvement in liver fibrosis.

EXAMPLE 9 Antisense Inhibition of Rat DGAT-1 Expression by Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap

A series of antisense compounds was designed to target different regions of the rat DGAT-1 RNA, using published sequence information (GenBank accession number AF296131.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 101). The compounds are shown in Table 6. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the compound binds. All compounds in Table 6 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytosine residues are 5-methyl cytosine.

The compounds were analyzed for their effect on rat DGAT-1 mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. Probes and primers to rat DGAT-1 were designed to hybridize to a rat DGAT-1 sequence, using published sequence information (GenBank accession number AF296131.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 101). For rat DGAT-1 the PCR primers were: forward primer: CAGACCAGCGTGGGCG (SEQ ID NO: 102); reverse primer: GAACAAAGAGTCTTGCAGACGATG (SEQ ID NO: 103) and the PCR probe was: FAM-CGGCCACTGGGAGCTGAGGTG-TAMRA (SEQ ID NO: 104) where FAM is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye. Rat target gene quantities were normalized by quantifying total RNA using RiboGreen™ RNA quantification reagent.

Data are averages from three experiments in which rat primary hepatocytes were treated with 50 nM of the antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention. Data, shown in Table 6, are presented as percent inhibition normalized to untreated control samples.

TABLE 6 Inhibition of rat DGAT-1 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap TARGET SEQ SEQ TARGET % ID CMPD # REGION  ID NO SITE SEQUENCE INHIB NO 191726 5′UTR 7 1 ctcgtcgcggcccaatcttc 0 61 191733 Coding 7 261 tcttgcagacgatggcacct 68 67 327788 Start 101 24 TCGCCCATGGCTTCGGCCCG 0 105 Codon 327789 Coding 101 44 AGCTTCCCGCGCCTCCGCGG 0 106 327790 Coding 101 61 GGTCCTGCGACGCCGAGAGC 0 107 327791 Coding 101 82 CTGGACGGAAACCCGCGAGC 0 108 327792 Coding 101 103 TACCTTGGGCCCACTACCTC 0 109 327793 Coding 101 121 TCGCACCTCGTCCTCTTCTA 0 110 327794 Coding 101 170 GAGCCGGCGCGTCACCCCCG 0 111 327795 Coding 101 191 TATGGGCTGGAGCCGGAGCC 0 112 327796 Coding 101 196 CCGGGTATGGGCTGGAGCCG 0 113 327797 Coding 101 225 TCGCCCACGCTGGTCTGCCG 63 114 327798 Coding 101 248 GGCACCTCAGCTCCCAGTGG 64 115 327799 Coding 101 282 CTGTCTGAGCTGAACAAAGA 0 116 327800 Coding 101 309 AGGATACCACGGTAATTGCT 0 117 327801 Coding 101 318 CACCAATTCAGGATACCACG 0 118 327802 Coding 101 345 GCATTACTCAGGATCAGCAT 0 119 327803 Coding 101 359 CTAAAGATAACCTTGCATTA 0 120 327804 Coding 101 374 ACTTGATAAGATTCTCTAAA 0 121 327805 Coding 101 389 CCACCAGGATGCCATACTTG 0 122 327806 Coding 101 393 GGATCCACCAGGATGCCATA 0 123 327807 Coding 101 415 AAACAGAGACACCACCTGGA 0 124 327808 Coding 101 463 GGATGCAATGATCAAGCATG 0 125 327809 Coding 101 477 ACAATAAAGATATTGGATGC 0 126 327810 Coding 101 499 CTTCTCAATCTGAAATGTAG 0 127 327811 Coding 101 504 AGGCGCTTCTCAATCTGAAA 0 128 327812 Coding 101 527 GCTCTGTCAGGGCACCCACT 0 129 327813 Coding 101 537 AGCCCCATCTGCTCTGTCAG 20 130 327814 Coding 101 552 ACCACATGTAGCAGCAGCCC 17 131 327815 Coding 101 579 GGGAAGCAGATAATTGTGGC 0 132 327816 Coding 101 594 AAGGCCACAGCTGCTGGGAA 0 133 327817 Coding 101 607 AGACTCAACCAGTAAGGCCA 25 134 327818 Coding 101 616 TGGAGTGATAGACTCAACCA 2 135 327819 Coding 101 649 GGAGTATGATGCCAGAGCAA 0 136 327820 Coding 101 661 GAGGAAGATGATGGAGTATG 0 137 327821 Coding 101 679 CCGGTAGGAAGAAAGCTTGA 0 138 327822 Coding 101 709 CCTTCGCTGGCGGCACCACA 29 139 327823 Coding 101 726 ACAGCTTTGGCCTTGACCCT 0 140 327824 Coding 101 744 ACCTTCTTCCCTGCAGACAC 0 141 327825 Coding 101 758 CAGCAGCCCCACTGACCTTC 6 142 327826 Coding 101 779 GATAGCTTACAGTGTTCTGG 0 143 327827 Coding 101 797 GGTAGGTCAGGTTGTCCGGA 0 144 327828 Coding 101 806 AGAGATCTCGGTAGGTCAGG 0 145 327829 Coding 101 819 AAGATGAAGTAATAGAGATC 0 146 327830 Coding 101 833 ACAAAGTAGGAGCAAAGATG 0 147 327831 Coding 101 849 AAGTTGAGTTCATAACACAA 0 148 327832 Coding 101 912 AAAAAGAGCATCTCAAGAAC 0 149 327833 Coding 101 934 CAGCCCCACTTGAAGCTGGG 0 150 327834 Coding 101 949 CATCCACTGCTGGATCAGCC 0 151 327835 Coding 101 970 GGAGTTCTGGATAGTAGGGA 0 152 327836 Coding 101 981 AAGGGCTTCATGGAGTTCTG 0 153 327837 Coding 101 991 CATGTCCTTGAAGGGCTTCA 0 154 327838 Coding 101 1030 CGCCAGCTTTAAGAGACGCT 0 155 327839 Coding 101 1103 GCTCTGCCACAGCATTGAGA 0 156 327840 Coding 101 1131 TAGAACTCGCGGTCTCCAAA 0 157 327841 Coding 101 1162 GGTGACAGACTCAGCATTCC 0 158 327842 Coding 101 1186 GATATTCCAGTTCTGCCAAA 0 159 327843 Coding 101 1212 TGTCTGATGCACCACTTGTG 0 160 327844 Coding 101 1271 AGACCCCAGTCCTGGCCATC 22 161 327845 Coding 101 1299 TACTCATGAAAGAAAGCTGA 0 162 327846 Coding 101 1351 CATTGCTGTGAATGCCCAAA 0 163 327847 Coding 101 1380 ACAATCCAGGCCAGTGGGAC 0 164 327848 Coding 101 1414 TGCATTGCCATAGTTCCCTT 0 165 327849 Coding 101 1442 GCCCAATGATGAGTGTCACC 0 166 327850 Coding 101 1477 GTAGTCGTGGACATACATGA 0 167 327851 Stop 101 1524 TTGGCAGTAGCTCATGCCCC 0 168 Codon 327852 Stop 101 1531 CTGGCCTTTGGCAGTAGCTC 12 169 Codon 327853 3′ UTR 101 1562 CCTCCAGAACTCCAGGCCCA 55 170 327854 3′ UTR 101 1637 ATCCCCAAGAGCAGGAGTAG 0 171 327855 3′ UTR 101 1670 CCCAGCACTGGCTCAACCAG 0 172 327856 3′ UTR 101 1702 TTGATATCCTAAGCCCCTGG 0 173 327857 3′ UTR 101 1727 TTTTTTTTTTTTAGATAGCT 0 174

As shown in Table 6, SEQ ID NOs 67, 114, 115, 130, 131, 134, 139, 161, 169 and 170 demonstrated at least 10% inhibition of rat DGAT-1 in this assay. SEQ ID NOs 61 and 67 are cross-species antisense oligonucleotides that target both mouse and rat DGAT-1.

EXAMPLE 30 Antisense Inhibition of Rat DGAT-1 by Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap: Dose Response

In a further embodiment, six oligonucleotides were selected for further investigation in a dose response experiment in rat primary hepatocytes. Rat primary hepatocytes were treated with 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 nM of CMPD#191733 (SEQ ID NO: 67), CMPD#327798 (SEQ ID NO: 115), CMPD# 327814 (SEQ ID NO: 131), CMPD#327817 (SEQ ID NO: 134), CMPD#327822 (SEQ ID NO: 139), CMPD#327844 (SEQ ID NO: 161) and CMPD#327853 (SEQ ID NO: 170). Untreated cells served as a control. Target mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. Data, presented in Table 7, are the average of three experiments and are normalized to untreated control samples.

TABLE 7 Inhibition of rat DGAT-1 by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides: dose response Dose of oligonucleotide SEQ ID 5 10 25 50 100 200 CMPD # NO % inhibition 191733 67 20 53 77 91 97 99 327798 115 0 13 68 88 96 98 327814 131 0 5 37 72 80 89 327817 134 0 0 0 57 76 87 327822 139 0 32 52 73 88 95 327844 161 0 0 17 66 71 87 327853 170 0 0 48 70 80 92

As demonstrated in Table 7, all 7 antisense oligonucleotides tested were able to inhibit the expression of DGAT-1 in a dose-dependent manner.

All documents referenced in this specification are incorporated by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preventing liver fibrosis comprising administering a modified oligonucleotide that decreases DGAT-1 expression.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified oligonucleotide is a specific inhibitor of DGAT 1 expression.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the modified oligonucleotide is an antisense compound targeted to a nucleic acid that is substantially similar to SEQ ID NO: 4 and that expresses DGAT-1.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the modified oligonucleotide of DGAT-1 is a chimeric antisense compound comprising a consecutive nucleoside length of 12 to 50 nucleosides, further comprising one or more of a nucleobase modification, an internucleoside linkage modification, a high-affinity sugar modification or a combination thereof, and further comprising no more than three mismatches to the target nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) that encodes DGAT-1.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the nucleoside length is 14 to 35 nucleosides.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the nucleoside length is 17 to 24 nucleosides.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the chimeric antisense compound is 20 consecutive nucleosides in length.
 8. The method of claim 4 wherein the internucleoside linkage modification is at least one phosphorothioate linkage.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein every internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
 10. The method of claim 4 wherein the high-affinity sugar modification is selected from the group consisting of a 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl), a 2′-O-methyl, a locked nucleic acid or an ethylene-bridged nucleic acid.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the high affinity modified sugar is a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar moiety.
 12. The method of claim 4 wherein the nucleobase modification is a 5-methyl cytosine.
 13. The method of claim 4 wherein the antisense compound comprises no mismatches to the target DGAT-1 encoding nucleic acid sequence.
 14. The method of claim 4 wherein the antisense compound is 20 consecutive nucleosides in length, comprises five consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 5′ end of the compound, followed by ten consecutive 2′deoxy sugars which are followed by five consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 3′ end of the compound, also comprising a phosphorothioate linkage modification at every internucleoside linkage and a 5-methyl cytosine modification at every cytosine residue in the compound, and comprising no more than 3 mismatches to the target DGAT-1 encoding nucleic acid sequence.
 15. The method of claim 4 wherein the antisense compound is 20 consecutive nucleosides in length, comprises five consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 5′ end of the compound, followed by ten consecutive 2′deoxy sugars which are followed by five consecutive 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) sugar modifications at the 3′ end of the compound, also comprising a phosphorothioate linkage modification at every internucleoside linkage and a 5-methyl cytosine modification at every cytosine residue in the compound, and comprising no mismatches to the target DGAT-1 encoding nucleic acid sequence.
 16. The method of claim 1 wherein administration of the modified oligonucleotide reduces collagen mRNA expression.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein administration of the modified oligonucleotide reduces of one or more of a-SMA mRNA, or a TGF-beta. mRNA.
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein administration of the modified oligonucleotide reduces hydroxyproline levels.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the administration of the modified oligonucleotide increases retinol esterification.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the administration of the modified oligonucleotide reduces hepatic stellate cells activation.
 21. A method for preventing liver fibrosis in an animal in need of such a treatment comprising contacting the animal with a modified oligonucleotide that decreases DGAT-1 expression.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the animal has a condition that causes liver fibrosis, the condition selected from the group consisting of NASH and metabolic syndrome.
 23. A method of preventing excessive collagen deposition in the liver of an animal in need of such a treatment comprising the step of contacting the animal with a modified oligonucleotide that decreases DGAT-1 expression.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the animal has a condition that causes liver fibrosis, the condition selected from the group consisting of NASH and metabolic syndrome. 